Surg Cosmet Dermatol. 2009;1(4):163-167
Introduction: The 2940-nm Erbium Laser has been used for years in photoaging treatment, with pulse duration of 0.25 ms. Currently, it has been widely used in fractionated mode.New pulse duration of 5 ms was introduced in an attempt to promote tissue coagulation,in addition to ablation, improving its treatment performance.
Objective: To investigate the mechanism by which this laser rays act on cutaneous tissue, in its fractionated and dual pulse mode, clinically and histopathologically.
Material and methods: Six female patients with marked photoaging (Fitzpatrick Classifi cation Scale, degrees III and IV) were designated to this technique. Biopsies were performed 1 week before and 2 months after treatment. Clinical and histological assessments were conducted using the following stains: hematoxylin-eosin, Verhoeff, and Masson’s trichrome.
Results: There was signifi cant clinical improvement in all patients, and histology showed foci sizes compatible with the laser microbeam shot in areas where decreased solar elastosis occurred. In two cases with more signifi cant results, these areas were measured.
Conclusions: Clinically, there was marked improvement in six patients treated. Focal changes were found and they were similar in size to the rays shot, while previous studies with fractionated 2940- nm Erbium showed areas of non-circumscribed neocollagenesis.
Keywords: REJUVENATION, PHOTOAGING, LASERS